Thursday, May 2, 2013

my favourite pieces at the AAADA antiques show in Melbourne!

Well I am home now from Melbourne after helping Richmond Antiques at the the Australian Antiques and Art Dealer's Association antique show which was held last week and over the weekend. I took some time out from the fair for a little shopping along the nearby hip Brunswick Street. I also managed to take some pictures around the fair of some of my favourite pieces on offer. Everything is for sale, so much better than a museum as you can take things home with you (budget allowing, of course!). Above are stylish floor rugs from Behruz Studio, who always presents room filling rugs of the most gorgeous designs and colours.

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Upon entering the antiques show, it is worth taking the time to check out the interior of the grand Exhibition Building in which the fair is held. Perfect for showcasing gorgeous antiques and art!﻿

One of my duties while helping Richmond Antiques was to find flowers to display within this 19th century Chinese trough.

Luckily I found some wonderful green coloured orchids at a nearby wholesale florist which complimented the aged iron perfectly. This Chinese trough is a true decorator's piece, it would be great as a focal point in a courtyard.

Also on the Richmond Antiques stand was this antique zebra skin, which we hung on a wall for maximum impact. Needless to say, this piece sold very quickly!

This hall chair, with its elegant shell shaped back and painted family crest panel, is one of a set of four. They date to the Regency period and were made by the important English furniture maker Gillows and were one of the more special items offered for sale by Richmond Antiques. They have an interesting documented history and were found in northern Tasmania.

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Nomadic Rug Traders exhibited this rare embroidered panel which from memory was made around c.1800 and from the Uzbek region of central Asia.

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The detail of the embroidered panel is exceptional and the design looks almost French. This is because it was made for the European market and would have been intended for export to the West, adding to its interest as a museum worthy textile. ﻿

This French (or Italian?) figure of a saint was exhibited by Brans Antiques and Art. Again from memory I think it dated to the 16th century. I was drawn to the still intact gilding to her dress and also to her lovely soft and sad eyes.

This Japanese bronze owl on a carved root stand, also of Brans Antiques and Art, was perhaps my favourite item of the fair. I have a soft spot for Japanese art and am so very overwhelmed by the attention to detail that was given to pieces such as this. The patina on the root stand is so very beautiful.

Look at the detail in owl itself. It dates to the 19th century and is a very special piece indeed.

Also on the Brans Antiques and Art stand was this early oak refectory table, possibly Italian and dating to the 16th century (again from memory!). Tables of this age and proportions are very hard to find.

A prize sponsored by Tiffany and Co. was given to the best object of the fair, and it was awarded to this carved oak and fully articulated model of a skeleton, owned by Derek Greengrass Antiques. It is possibly German, Dutch or Belge and dates to the 17th century.

It is thought that this model may have been used by academics of the medical profession, or perhaps a ship’s surgeon, to illustrate the various bones of the human body. Definitely of museum quality but most definitely for sale!

I hope you have enjoyed my little summary of the Australian Antiques and Art Dealers Association show.

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments. The articulated model of the skeleton was definitely a highlight for a lot of people. And at a cool $40,000 or thereabouts, I think it is quite valuable, too!

When we talk about antiques, we always associate them with our culture. It is important to take good care of these valuables so that we can also preserve the history that it represents. There are many antique stores nowadays and I'm glad that you shared some of the antiques that you loved. If I have enough free time, I’ll visit that store, too!

About Me

My name is Tammy and I partly own The Drill Hall Emporium with my mother, Sue and my sister, Donna. My sisters and I began sourcing antiques when we were in highschool. Eventually our market stall evolved into what is now a successful antiques store. My time is now spent working in the store and travelling locally and overseas searching for interesting antiques.